Est 1:17 | KingComments | STEP | That the king is not a plaything of his emotions, but knows what he is doing, is also shown by his reaction to the refusal of Vashti. In any case, he is not the capricious ruler here, who, also mired in drink, without any consultation, immediately passes judgment on Vashti. When later Haman is unmasked, we see that he, rightly so, immediately passes judgment ( ). The king presents the case to “the wise men” ( ). They know “the times” and “the law and justice”. Asking for counsel has also been explained as an indication that Ahasuerus would have been a weak and manipulatable king. It may be so historically, but again this is not apparent from the biblical text here. Knowing “the times” means having insight into the spirit of the times, the spiritual climate of the time in which the events take place. “The law” refers to the rules that apply to life in the kingdom. “Justice” means that they also have wisdom to apply the law correctly. They see to it that the right takes its course. If we can still see Ahasuerus as a picture of God in these events, we see a divine attribute in his deliberations. God also deliberates ( ; ). Of the seven wise men it is said that they “who had access to the king’s presence and sat in the first place in the kingdom” ( ). They have the position of confidants of the king. In this context we can see them as a picture of “the seven Spirits of God” ( ), which indicates the fullness of the Holy Spirit. God deliberates, as it were, with the seven Spirits before His throne in order to set aside the failing church. This Spirit is manifested in perfection in the Lord Jesus, God’s King ( ). The king’s question is what should happen to queen Vashti according to the law ( ). He mentions what he accuses her of: “because she did not obey the command of King Ahasuerus [delivered] by the eunuchs”. Both in and here in it is mentioned that “the eunuchs” convey this command. This is how God works now. He lets His Word be brought to people by His servants. The fact that He uses men does not change the authority of His Word. Everyone to whom His Word comes must obey ( ). He who does not, will be judged. When the king has asked his question, Memucan takes the word ( ) and paints the state of affairs. Vashti has not only misbehaved against the king, but also against all the princes and all the peoples who are in all the provinces. The motivation is that all women will hear of the queen’s case, encouraging them to despise their own husbands ( ). They will justify their contempt by referring to the disobedience of queen Vashti to King Ahasuerus. What Vashti has done is “like letting out water” ( ). The fence is off the dam if no action is taken against it. If no clear position is taken, a revolution will be unleashed in all houses. The king’s answer must put an end to the contempt and annoyance that already exist. These have been enough ( ). After Memucan has made it clear what the situation is like, he comes up with two proposals ( ). The first proposal is that the king makes it clear to everyone that his relationship with Vashti is definitely broken. Vashti has misbehaved in such a way that there can be no question of recovery in her high position. This decision must be recorded in writing and as a law of Medes and Persians so that the decision cannot be repealed. The second proposal is to provide for the vacant place of Queen. The “royal disposition” that Vashti has possessed but lost because of her willfulness must be given “to another” who is described by Memucan as someone “who is more worthy than she”. In the final setting aside of Vashti we see the final setting aside of the unbelieving Israel as the wife of God. What happens to Vashti is similar to the curse the Lord Jesus pronounces on the barren fig tree which is a picture of the unbelieving Israel: “No longer shall there ever be [any] fruit from you” ( ). God has given this apostate woman a letter of divorce, through which she can no longer return to Him ( ; ). The vacant place gives God the opportunity to establish a new relationship. This is provided by someone whose name is not yet mentioned, but whose quality is described as “more worthy than she”. It is noteworthy and beautiful that a similar expression occurs again, in connection with David for whom Saul, the king after the flesh, must clear the field. Saul is disobedient – just like Vashti. He disobeys God’s command to exterminate the Amalekites. Samuel tells Saul that the kingship of Israel will be torn from him – similar to Vashti. Then he says it will be given to someone “who is better than you” ( ) – again just like with Vashti. No name is mentioned to Saul as to who it is. In both cases it is a position that makes someone unworthy and for which God has chosen someone, someone after His heart, to take that position. We can therefore see this history from the providence of God. God’s purpose is the exaltation of Mordecai to bless His people through him. In this Mordecai is a picture of the Lord Jesus. God begins to prepare for this already in this first chapter. The deposition of Vashti also takes place with this in mind. God acts for a purpose that we know from Scripture. The way in which He acts is not always known to us. We only know it when He has reached that goal and we look back on the way He has gone. Memucan concludes his plea by suggesting the blessed consequences if the king will issue this command. It is an order that he must issue for his entire kingdom, which is great. If all women in all ranks and positions have respect for their husbands (cf. ), it will promote peace in families. And if there is peace in families, there is also peace in the whole kingdom. The king and the princes approve of Memucan’s proposal, and Ahasuerus acts accordingly. He sends letters to all the provinces of his kingdom. In doing so, he ensures that each province receives the letter according to its script and to every people according to their language. Everyone must be informed of the decision. In the letter “every man” is addressed as the responsible head of the family. His responsibility has two aspects. He must “be master in his own house”. This is reflected in his position of authority. He must also speak “in the language of his own people”. That concerns his behavior, his example. The call to actually exercise the authority given by God is desperately needed today. The man is the head of the woman ( ). This means that, following Christ’s example of caring for His church, he gives her everything she needs as head ( ). He will also address the members of his family in the language of God’s people, which is the language of God’s Word (cf. ). This ‘language’ is to be spoken throughout the kingdom of God, that is, in families, in society and in the church. If the authority of God’s Word is acknowledged in families, this will also happen in society and in the church. In families this will be shown by the submissive attitude of the wife towards her husband and by the submissive attitude of the children towards their parents. The men have the main responsibility to take care of the right relationships in their families. The same applies to the relationships and behavior in the church.

‏ Esther 1:17

The Council of Memucan

That the king is not a plaything of his emotions, but knows what he is doing, is also shown by his reaction to the refusal of Vashti. In any case, he is not the capricious ruler here, who, also mired in drink, without any consultation, immediately passes judgment on Vashti. When later Haman is unmasked, we see that he, rightly so, immediately passes judgment (Est 7:9-10).

The king presents the case to “the wise men” (Est 1:13). They know “the times” and “the law and justice”. Asking for counsel has also been explained as an indication that Ahasuerus would have been a weak and manipulatable king. It may be so historically, but again this is not apparent from the biblical text here.

Knowing “the times” means having insight into the spirit of the times, the spiritual climate of the time in which the events take place. “The law” refers to the rules that apply to life in the kingdom. “Justice” means that they also have wisdom to apply the law correctly. They see to it that the right takes its course.

If we can still see Ahasuerus as a picture of God in these events, we see a divine attribute in his deliberations. God also deliberates (Gen 18:20-21; 1Kgs 22:19-22).

Of the seven wise men it is said that they “who had access to the king’s presence and sat in the first place in the kingdom” (Est 1:14). They have the position of confidants of the king. In this context we can see them as a picture of “the seven Spirits of God” (Rev 4:5), which indicates the fullness of the Holy Spirit. God deliberates, as it were, with the seven Spirits before His throne in order to set aside the failing church. This Spirit is manifested in perfection in the Lord Jesus, God’s King (Isa 11:2-3).

The king’s question is what should happen to queen Vashti according to the law (Est 1:15). He mentions what he accuses her of: “because she did not obey the command of King Ahasuerus [delivered] by the eunuchs”.

Both in Est 1:12 and here in Est 1:15 it is mentioned that “the eunuchs” convey this command. This is how God works now. He lets His Word be brought to people by His servants. The fact that He uses men does not change the authority of His Word. Everyone to whom His Word comes must obey (Acts 17:30-31). He who does not, will be judged.

When the king has asked his question, Memucan takes the word (Est 1:16) and paints the state of affairs. Vashti has not only misbehaved against the king, but also against all the princes and all the peoples who are in all the provinces. The motivation is that all women will hear of the queen’s case, encouraging them to despise their own husbands (Est 1:17). They will justify their contempt by referring to the disobedience of queen Vashti to King Ahasuerus.

What Vashti has done is “like letting out water” (Pro 17:14). The fence is off the dam if no action is taken against it. If no clear position is taken, a revolution will be unleashed in all houses. The king’s answer must put an end to the contempt and annoyance that already exist. These have been enough (Est 1:18).

After Memucan has made it clear what the situation is like, he comes up with two proposals (Est 1:19). The first proposal is that the king makes it clear to everyone that his relationship with Vashti is definitely broken. Vashti has misbehaved in such a way that there can be no question of recovery in her high position. This decision must be recorded in writing and as a law of Medes and Persians so that the decision cannot be repealed.

The second proposal is to provide for the vacant place of Queen. The “royal disposition” that Vashti has possessed but lost because of her willfulness must be given “to another” who is described by Memucan as someone “who is more worthy than she”.

In the final setting aside of Vashti we see the final setting aside of the unbelieving Israel as the wife of God. What happens to Vashti is similar to the curse the Lord Jesus pronounces on the barren fig tree which is a picture of the unbelieving Israel: “No longer shall there ever be [any] fruit from you” (Mt 21:19). God has given this apostate woman a letter of divorce, through which she can no longer return to Him (Deu 24:1-4; Jer 3:8).

The vacant place gives God the opportunity to establish a new relationship. This is provided by someone whose name is not yet mentioned, but whose quality is described as “more worthy than she”. It is noteworthy and beautiful that a similar expression occurs again, in connection with David for whom Saul, the king after the flesh, must clear the field.

Saul is disobedient – just like Vashti. He disobeys God’s command to exterminate the Amalekites. Samuel tells Saul that the kingship of Israel will be torn from him – similar to Vashti. Then he says it will be given to someone “who is better than you” (1Sam 15:28) – again just like with Vashti. No name is mentioned to Saul as to who it is. In both cases it is a position that makes someone unworthy and for which God has chosen someone, someone after His heart, to take that position.

We can therefore see this history from the providence of God. God’s purpose is the exaltation of Mordecai to bless His people through him. In this Mordecai is a picture of the Lord Jesus. God begins to prepare for this already in this first chapter. The deposition of Vashti also takes place with this in mind. God acts for a purpose that we know from Scripture. The way in which He acts is not always known to us. We only know it when He has reached that goal and we look back on the way He has gone.

Memucan concludes his plea by suggesting the blessed consequences if the king will issue this command. It is an order that he must issue for his entire kingdom, which is great. If all women in all ranks and positions have respect for their husbands (cf. Eph 5:33), it will promote peace in families. And if there is peace in families, there is also peace in the whole kingdom.

The king and the princes approve of Memucan’s proposal, and Ahasuerus acts accordingly. He sends letters to all the provinces of his kingdom. In doing so, he ensures that each province receives the letter according to its script and to every people according to their language. Everyone must be informed of the decision. In the letter “every man” is addressed as the responsible head of the family. His responsibility has two aspects. He must “be master in his own house”. This is reflected in his position of authority. He must also speak “in the language of his own people”. That concerns his behavior, his example.

The call to actually exercise the authority given by God is desperately needed today. The man is the head of the woman (1Cor 11:3). This means that, following Christ’s example of caring for His church, he gives her everything she needs as head (Eph 5:29). He will also address the members of his family in the language of God’s people, which is the language of God’s Word (cf. Neh 13:23). This ‘language’ is to be spoken throughout the kingdom of God, that is, in families, in society and in the church.

If the authority of God’s Word is acknowledged in families, this will also happen in society and in the church. In families this will be shown by the submissive attitude of the wife towards her husband and by the submissive attitude of the children towards their parents. The men have the main responsibility to take care of the right relationships in their families. The same applies to the relationships and behavior in the church.